The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
THE NATIONS CAPITAL
Congressman Scott Interviewed
in Regard to the Tariff.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON, September S.-Acting Presi-
dent Oberly, Of the United States civil service
commission, has written the following i'm
portant letter to Charles w. Rowland, chair
man Of the civil service board OF examiners
for the Cincinnati postoflice, constructing GER
tain sections Of the civil service law rules re-
lating to the power Of appointing officers to
make removals:
Dear Sir Yours + the 10Th ult. has been received.
You say: ~ have read your report on the PhilIdel
l b a Dostotlce case, and have 10 ed your conelu-
gioEs thereon. In conversation with the postmaster
today As t the power OF the removal Of carriers,
the limit,t ms upon the power of removal
Tie commission has heretofore stated,
and now repeats, that the power of removal is I'M
galy made for any one of the following causes:
l. Because person in the service has refused to
contribute to political fund or for political pur-
poses 2 Because person has refused to render pc.
litlca service; 3. Because person has refused TO
perni the appointing oiicer or any other person in
the civil se!v,ce to coerce his political action for
any other cause any person in the civil service may
be removed legally, and person Illegally removed
Tor any OF the causes named, cannot under any
t ion q '' '-'H 'S''-'9 "''' 0au 'SS'o'a-
If then an appointing officer were to remove one
Of his subordinetes for any one of the reasons
toned among the inhibitions Of removal what pen
atty could be inflicted upon him?
Civil evice rule q provides that every violation
Of any The sections OF the civil service act relating
to political assessments shall be good cause for
removal of an officer guilty OF violation and section
10 OF tnat act provides that any person VINO Shall
be guilty Of violating any provision Of tie four fore
going sections SHALL on conviction thereof be pun
ished ~ fine not exceeding s., Goo or by mprison
ment for term not exceeding three years, or by
such fine and lmprs jument.
Rule eight provides that no question in any ex-
animation or proceeding by or under the commits
sion or examiners shall call for an expression
or disclosure of any political opinion or
atfiliaton, and if such opinion or alfllaton be
known, no discrimination shall he made by reason
thereof by the examiners, commission or appoint
ing power. From these provisions of the law and
rules, it is concluded:
!. That it is unlawful to ask an applicant for ap-
pointrents under the civil service law to divulge
his political opinions or affiliations.
= That If an appointing officer ascertain, in any
way what are the political opinions or affiliations
OF any applicant for appointment, it is unlawful III
him 10, therefore, either discriminate in the appli-
cant iayor or against him. That it is unlawful in
an appointing officer to appoint an eligible for the
reason that he Is or not democrat to refuse to
appoint IN eligible for the reason that he is not
republican, and vice versa.
B. I.i t 1t is unlawful TO remove any person from
the public service for refusing to render political
service